Panthers’ rookie Tetairoa McMillan is in a good spot heading into training camp

There are high expectations for the eighth pick in April's draft. Wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan should make an immediate impact on Dave Canales's offense.

Nov 30, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the Territorial Cup at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

There’s an air of anticipation for a team that has finished below .500 seven consecutive seasons, and hasn’t reached the playoffs since 2017. After a rough 1-7 start, the Carolina Panthers won four of their final nine games in 2024. Two of the losses were narrow setbacks to the Super Bowl LIX-bound Chiefs (30-27) and Eagles (22-16) during the second half of the season.

Matt Holder of Bleacher Report took a look at all 32 first-round picks from this year’s draft and the outlook for each of these performers. He expects talented Tetairoa McMillan, who the Panthers took with the eighth overall pick in late April, to compete for the top wide receiver spot.

“While Carolina needed a wide receiver this offseason, the team wasn’t necessarily desperate for one with Adam Thielen, Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker already on the roster. McMillan will still enter training camp as a starter and could easily become the Panthers’ top receiver, but he’ll have to establish chemistry with Bryce Young quickly and outplay those three wideouts, especially Thielen, this summer to earn that role.”

Jun 11, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) gets a drink during minicamp at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Carolina’s offense finished 30th in the league in passing yards per game this past season, and totaled just 22 touchdowns through the air. They were the only team in the league that did not have at least one player catch at least 50 passes in 2024. Legette totaled a team-high 49 receptions, while Thielen led Dave Canales’s club with 615 receiving yards and five touchdown grabs.

Meanwhile, the former University of Arizona standout comes off back-to-back monster campaigns with the Wildcats. In 2023, he totaled 90 catches for 1,402 yards and 10 scores. This past season, McMillan finished with 84 catches, good for 1,319 yards and eight touchdowns. The 6’4”, 219-pound performer will make for an inviting target for Young.

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